Women of Distinction Magazine Selects Joni Jones as a Distinguished Professional in Her Field

    TOMS RIVER, NJ, October 01, 2016 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Joni Jones, Registered Nurse and Owner/Executive Director of Koala Cares, has been recognized as a Distinguished Professional in her field through Women of Distinction Magazine. Joni Jones will be featured in Women of Distinction Magazine's Top 10 in Health and Wellness in 2016.

Earning her RN diploma from the Charles E. Gregor School of Nursing, Registered Nurse Joni Jones has since gone on to become Board Certified in Mental Health and Psychiatric Nursing, Certified as a Developmentally Disabled Nurse through Developmental Disabilities Nursing Association, a Certified Anger Management Specialist I and II through National Anger Management Association, a Certified Mental Health First Aid Instructor in both youth and adult trainings through the National Council for Behavioral Health, and trained in Hostage Negotiations and Crisis Intervention Phase 1 & 2 through the Public Agency Training Council under Lieutenant Jack Cambria. In 2013, Jones founded her own consulting business, Koala Cares, as Owner/Executive Director, offering trainings on mental health first aid for groups and organizations, doing motivational speaking engagements both nationally and locally for conference presentations, and serving as a group facilitator providing information that empowers individuals to break cycles of crisis to become the best they can be.

"My path is that of a conduit, sharing functional information that helps individuals gain back control over their own emotional responses with a delivery known to motivate and inspire others to be the best they can be," Jones said about the mission of Koala Cares. "With that being said, being a vital part to change those feelings of helplessness and hopelessness to one of hope and not despair refuels me to continue my services. I have made a commitment to help change the stigma associated with mental illness and addition and promote access to care for all. We did it with those affected by AIDS and autism, and now it's time we do the same for mental illness."

Noting that her one son was born with severe autism, and her other son was born with Asperger's syndrome (also a form of autism), Jones previously focused much of her time on autism spectrum disorders before branching out to form Koala Cares three years ago. She also spent six years serving on the New Jersey State Board of Nursing, retiring from the organization in 2014 to focus more on those with mental health and addiction challenges.

"I had a loss in my family due to mental health challenges, addiction, and suicide," Jones noted, "and one life lost is one life too many."

A national speaker since 2001 and published author of numerous magazine articles since 2003, Jones has been interviewed by NBC for her work with autism and has received numerous awards and proclamations from various organizations for her service to the community. Today, she is looking to develop a YouTube channel to share her information to a much larger audience.

"Much of my lifetime work has been voluntary," Jones added. "However, one with limited funding can only offer such services for a limited time. I've received a patent for an invention, an immobilizer with options, which I'll offer a licensing agreement. If successful, it will allow me to continue such work. But until then, I'm available to accept sponsorship from groups, organizations, and individuals that share a similar passion and drive to put an end to this epidemic as we know it today."

For more information, visit www.koalacares.com.

About Women of Distinction Magazine:
Women of Distinction Magazine strives to continually bring the very best out in each article published and highlight Women of Distinction. Women of Distinction Magazine's mission is to have a platform where women can grow, inspire, empower, educate and encourage professionals from any industry by sharing stories of courage and success.

Contact:
Women of Distinction Magazine, Melville, NY
631-465-9024
[email protected]

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